With Republicans set to debate in Metro Detroit, Obama campaign takes aim at Mitt Romney

AP File PhotoIn this Jan. 15, 2008 file photo, Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters after winning the Michigan primary in Southfield, Mich. Romney makes his first campaign swing through Michigan this week since officially kicking off his 2012 campaign six days ago.

With Republican presidential candidates prepared to debate this week in Metro Detroit, the Obama for America campaign is taking aim at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for his opposition to the auto bailout that ultimately helped General Motors and Chrysler return to health.

"He honestly said, 'Let Detroit go bankrupt,'" campaign chairman Jim Messina told reporters during a conference call this morning, referencing the headline of Romney's 2008 editorial for the New York Times. "When the jobs of 1.4 million Americans were on the line, he turned his back on them."

In that editorial, Romney argued against federal funding for automakers, suggesting that a structured bankruptcy would force leaders to shake up management and restructure the companies for long-term survival.

President Bush ended up approving a $25 billion bailout for General Motors and Chrysler, and the Obama administration added another $60 billion while leading the automakers through bankruptcy, requiring the companies to change in many of the ways Romney once advocated.

While Romney repeatedly has recognized the importance of the auto industry, he continues to argue against the government intervention many believe saved it, and critics continue to use the headline of his editorial against him.

"Mitt Romney’s tone on this may have changed as his perception of the politics has changed," said Obama for America press secretary Ben LaBolt. "But the fact is, when it mattered, he opposed the loan package and the restructuring package the president proposed."

Romney is one of eight Republican president hopefuls scheduled to participate in a Wednesday debate at Oakland University in Rochester. The Detroit native isn't polling as strong as he once was in Michigan, but it's clear the Obama campaign views him as their biggest threat here.

Herman Caine? His name didn't come up once. Newt Gingrich? Nada. Rick Perry? Yeah, Messina mentioned his name, but only to point out that Romney should have a bigger lead against him.

Romney, of course, won Michigan's 2008 Republican primary before losing the nomination to John McCain. That alone might explain the tone of today's press call, but it's also clear that Michigan is shaping up to be a competitive state no matter who the GOP nominee.

As the old saying goes, it's the economy stupid. Despite a recent Bloomberg report suggesting that Michigan's economy is on the mend, the state's unemployment rate remains a full two percentage points above the national average.

"I think we anticipate a close and competitive election across the country," Messina said. "As you're seeing in Michigan, the seeds of recovery have been planted, but until the folks across the country can feel the tangible outcome on their lives, we expect things to remain close and competitive."